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Alice Walton

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will be the next president of the University of California system. She'll be the first female president in the university system's history. Kevin Dietsch /UPI/Landov

Today is Friday, July 12, and here is what's happening in Southern California politics:

Headlines

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will be named the next president of the University of California system, reports the Los Angeles Times. She will be the first woman to run the university system.

The Los Angeles Fund for Public Education is giving the L.A. Unified School District a three-year, $750,000 grant for arts programs, according to the Daily News.

KPCC looks at the city's program to provide youths with summer jobs. "I think people are just waiting to be asked. We have companies around the city who have nobody connecting them with young people in other parts of town," says Mayor Eric Garcetti.

The OC Voice reports the South Coast Air Quality Management District will not release documents on staff's deliberations on a beach bonfire ban. "The AQMD board is set to vote Friday on a host of new restrictions against beach bonfires, including a ban on fire rings within 700 feet of homes that is believed would eliminate all of Newport Beach’s rings," according to the site.

Previously in Represent!

Represent! is your eye on how well government serves citizens and the public interest in Southern California. KPCC's politics and government team posts frequently on transparency, civic engagement, reform efforts and accountability. We invite your comments and suggestions — follow us on Twitter at the links below.